Indian space technology startup Sarla Aviation has showcased its flying taxi prototype, ‘ Shunya,’ at the Startup Mahakumbh, Bharat Mandapam. India’s first 6-seater flying taxi is grabbing everyone’s attention due to its ultra-modern, futuristic look.
Sarla Aviation, which was named after India’s first woman pilot Sarla Thukral, plans to introduce the flying taxi service by 2028, beginning in Bengaluru and then spreading its wings to other key cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Noida, and Pune.
With a cruise speed of as much as 250 km/h, the Shunya flying taxi has a single-charge flight range of 160 km. One of its most impressive features is the rapid 20-minute charging ability, which means it can be ready for the next flight in a jiffy. With a capacity for seven individuals, including the pilot, the aircraft is designed for short city flights, primarily between 20 to 30 kilometers.
Shunya is not just directed towards luxury transportation but also towards enabling essential urban activity. The company plans to use it for emergency health services and has even proposed an air ambulance version to assist in medical emergencies in high-density populations.
Shivam Chauhan, co-founder of Sarla Aviation, was optimistic about the future of flying taxis in India, highlighting the utilitarian benefits of using taxis in populous cities. Sarla Aviation hopes to make the cost of a single ride on par with a high-end taxi ride such as Uber or Ola.
The announcement has created a lot of buzz from the technology and automotive communities, with analysts considering it a game-changer of a project that would revolutionize the urban mobility sector. As the world looks on while India’s dreams of flying taxis take to the skies, successful execution of the vision has the potential to set a worldwide benchmark for sustainable and efficient air travel.
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